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Gracie Barra San Clemente Martial Arts
4.9 ★★★★★ 56 Google reviews · BJJ gym in San Clemente, California
Part of Gracie Barra
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule graciebarra.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 949-361-9411
Hours
| Monday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 9 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“5 year old has been practicing here for over a year and I'm still in awe of their patience, respect and love for the kids on the mats.”
“They are taught discipline, respect and self-defense.”
“We checked out Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School for the first time this week and WOW… we’re officially hooked.”
What members say
“Professor Marcus is a great teacher, very patient and takes time to walk you through the steps.”
“We checked out Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School for the first time this week and WOW… we’re officially hooked.”
“We couldn’t recommend Gracie Barra more for a supportive, fun, and nurturing martial arts environment.”
“), and let me tell you — he walked out sweaty, smiling ear-to-ear, and already asking, “When do I go again?”
“The kids classes are very well structured and will give your kids confidence and the ability to protect themselves all while maintaining a fun vibe.”
From the reviews
We checked out Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School for the first time this week and WOW… we’re officially hooked. My 6-year-old son John went in for his first class ever (and it was free!), and let me tell you — he walked out sweaty, smiling ear-to-ear, and already asking, “When do I go again?
We’ve been with Gracie Barra for a few years, and it’s been such a wonderful experience! They now offer homeschool hours, which is such an amazing option for families. The instructors genuinely care about each child, correcting form, encouraging progress, and making every class fun.
I started training here several years back and it has been a life changing experience for me. I've always been an aggressive guy and struggled with my ability to channel it in the most productive way. Now I have lots of fun and laughter while channeling my aggression in a highly productive way.
My son and I have been training here for a few years now. Everyone here is great. The professors and coaches are incredibly skilled and exceptional at translating those skills into lessons that everyone can understand.
New to BJJ? Start at Gracie Barra San Clemente Martial Arts
Gracie Barra San Clemente Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Gracie Barra San Clemente Martial Arts
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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